Ambassador Program

The Welcome Is the Word: Community Dialogue Event took place on Thursday, November 29, 2012, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Village Inn in Vanderhoof. The event, hosted as part of the Volunteer Vanderhoof Ambassador Program initiative, brought community members together to explore how Vanderhoof can be a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.

Rooted in the goals of the Ambassador Program, the evening emphasized the importance of dialogue and personal storytelling. The Ambassador Program was designed to open conversations between community members by inviting individuals to share the joys and challenges of immigrating to Canada. At its core, the program centred Ambassadors as storytellers, creating space for understanding, empathy, and connection across diverse experiences.

The event created opportunities for connection, learning, and action. It featured a panel of new Canadians who spoke about their experiences of settling in the community, alongside a presentation of the Saik’uz & Settlers Teacher Resource, which highlighted the Ambassador Program for Youth. Participants also engaged in meaningful discussion about the shared responsibility of building an inclusive community.

The dialogue reflected a broader understanding that welcoming communities depend on mutual respect, openness, and participation. As highlighted in the Ambassador Program materials, integration is a “two-way street,” requiring both newcomers and long-term residents to learn from one another and adapt together.

Overall, the event brought together citizens and leaders interested in learning from each other and strengthening Vanderhoof’s capacity to support diversity and belonging. It reinforced the idea that inclusive communities are built through ongoing conversation, shared effort, and recognition of the contributions newcomers make to social, cultural, and economic life.